Apparatus for checking the pitch of spaced visible effects in the course of being formed in a travelling strip or web



July 11, 1967 TIMSON 3,330,178

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE PITCH OF SPACED VISIBLE EFFECTS IN THE COURSEOF BEING FORMED IN A TRAVELLING STRIP OR WEB Filed. July 29, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 1 July 11, 1967 E. A. TIMSON 3,330,178

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE PITCH OF SPACED VISIBLE EFFECTS IN THE COURSEOF BEING FORMED IN A TRAVELLING STRIP OR WEB Filed July 29, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2- United States Patent 3,330,178 APPARATUS FOR CHECKINGTHE PITCH OF SPACED VISIBLE EFFECTS IN THE COURSE OF BEING FORMED IN ATRAVELLING STRIP 0R WEB Ernest A. Timson, 75 Northampton Road,Kettering, England Filed July 29, 1963, Ser. No. 298,186 Claimspriority, application Great Britain, July 31, 1962,

2 Claims. (CI. 88-14) Continuous strips or webs of flexible paper, thincard, film or the like for use in automatic or semi-automatic adding,calculating, tabulat'mg and similar accounting machines, computers andso on customarily have uniformly spaced series of holes punched inmarginal or other longitudinally extending portions thereof, the purposeof these holes being to co-operate with projections or teeth on movablefeeding components included in the machines.

Sometimes such marginally or otherwise punched strips or webs areinitially printed upon, apertured or otherwise appropriately dealt withto provide relevant information for feeding into and through themachines.

Moreover, marginally or otherwise punched, initially continuous stripsor Webs may, on occasions, be subsequently divided, by transverse cuts,into separate pieces or cards constituting business forms, invoices andthe likealso for feeding into certain types of accounting and analogousmachines.

In any event, accuracy of the spacing of the continuous series of holesin the strips or webs and thus, in appropriate cases, also the accurateregister of such holes in relation to information in or borne by thesaid strips or webs, is of paramount importance. A variation in thespacing would, of course, prevent a strip or web from being properly fedinto a machine. But, more importantly, inaccurate hole spacing wouldpreclude a strip or Web which is printed and punched in one machine frombeing subsequently fed through another preparing apparatus such, forexample, as a collator adapted to collate and bring into correctsuperimposed relation webs suchwise as to form, as is sometimesrequired, a multi-web pad or pack.

Inaccurate spacing of continuous series of holes can occur in a combinedprinting and punching machine by virtue of the flexible strip or webbeing incorrectly tensioned.

The present invention is concerned with a means for checking the pitchof a continuous series of such holes, marks or any other appropriatevisible eflects whilst these are in the course of being formed in or ona continuous strip or web as aforesaid, such means automaticallydetecting and signalling any inaccuracies in the spacing. The employmentof these means thereby enable suitable counter-measures such, forinstance, as variations in the tension of the strip or Web, to be takenwith the aim of correcting inaccuracies. The expression marks used aboveincludes printed spots and the like.

The object of the invention, therefore, is to provide, for use inconjunction with a machine for forming continuous series of uniformlyspaced visible effects in travelling flexible strips or webs, a simpleand etficient checking apparatus for the purpose specified.

Broadly considered, the apparatus constituting this in- 3,330,178Patented July 11, 1967 vention comprises two basic systems incombination; viz, a scanning system and an image forming system.Scanning is performed at two stations along the travelling web, thestations being separated by some known multiple of the pitch desired.Each station is comprised of a light source adapted to be flashedsimultaneously, one with the other, and synchronously with the passageof the spaced visible effects by each station, thereby illuminating theeifects as they pass, and a pair of scanning prisms which serve thepurpose of reflecting the light given off by the illuminated eifects toa common location at which the image forming system can come into play.The imaging system is then used to project the two images of the spacedvisible eflects, in superimposed relationship, upon a viewable surface.Accuracy of the positioning of the spaced effects or uniformity of pitchis indicated to the observer by congruence of the two images, and lackof accuracy, or nonuniformity, is signalled by lack of coincidence ofthe two images. Preferably the light sources are of contrastinglydifferent colors thereby facilitating an accurate determination of imagecongruence. I

For convenience in the following further description visible effects inthe form of spaced holes will be concentrated upon without, however, anylimitation in this respect.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readilycarried into practical effect, specific arrangements of a hole spacingindicator, and one particular manner of visually discriminating betweencongruence and lack of congruence between superimposed images of formedholes will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGURE 1 depicts, in purely diagrammatic fashion, one arrangement of thehole spacing indicator exemplifying the principle of pitch checkinginvolved,

FIGURE 2 illustrates, as viewed in the scanner, images indicatingrespectively correct and incorrect spacing of holes,

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of one practical form'of optical apparatus forchecking the spacing of holes, and

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the same as seen in the direction of thearrow A in FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the letter W indicates an opaque travelling stripor web which has had formed therein, as it travels, a series of what arerequired to be uniformly spaced punched holes h disposed at the pitch p.At two fixed stations S and S1 spaced apart a multiple of (twice asshown) the pitch p are scanning means. Thus, the scanning means at thestation S comprise a light source 1 of one distinctive colour, say red,arranged to shine through the holes 11, and a reflective surface in theform of a plane mirror m adapted to reflect the images of the holessuccessively illuminated and defined by the said source. The scanningmeans at the station S1 comprise a light source 1 of a contrastingcolour, say green, similarly arranged to shine through the holes h, anda reflective surface in the form of a plane mirror m for reflectingimages of holes illuminated and defined by the light source 1 Thecomplete optical system included in the apparatus includes, inassociation with the plane mirrors m and m at the two scanning stationsS and S1, an arrangement of further plane reflecting mirrors m and m anda lens L adapted to collect and collate the two reflected images I andto project the same on to a ground screen, as shown, or through aneyepiece. Naturally, the

images to be viewed may, if desired, be substantially :magnified tofacilitate viewing.

The light sources 1 and 1 may advantageously be in the form of electriclamps.'Preferably, such lamps are simultaneously flashed on and off(electrically or by mechanically shutters) synchronously with thepassage of successive holes h past the lamps and in such a mannet, ofcourse, that the lamps are on or effective only at those intervals whenthey are required to illuminate the holes h. In other words, the lampsare flashed in unison, in time 'With the repetition frequency of theholes.

Any appropriate expedient may be adopted to facilitate visualdiscrimination between an indication of con.- gruence of thesuperimposed images I and a signal calling attention 'to a lack ofcomplete coincidence of the said images. The same expedient may be usedto indicate the direction of displacement of the images and consequentlywhether the spaces between the successive holes h are plus or minus therequired normal pitch p, this in turn enabling an attendant to take theappropriate counter action. Advantageously, such visual discriminationmay be based on colour contrast and this is the reason why the two lightsources and 1 are difierently coloured as aforesaid. Accordingly, whenthe two contrastingly coloured images I of illuminated holes aresuperimposed and strictly congruent their projection will display a spotor area of mono-coloured, say yellow, light, whereas projection ofimages which are relatively displaced in one direction or the other willdisplay a spot or area which although having the appearance of beingmainly monocoloured is nevertheless adjoined at its opposite sides bysegments, bars or strips of respectively different coloured light, Forexample, where the holes h are circular and the lamps l and 1 arrangedto shine through them are, as previously mentioned, colouredrespectively red and green, then projected congruent images indicatingcorrect spacing will display a mono-coloured circular spot or area ofyellow light (see a, FIGURE 2). Displacement of the images in onedirection will produce a spot or area of yellow light bounded at theleft-hand side by a segment r of red light and at the right-hand side bya similar segment of g green light, thereby indicating that angles tothe tube 7. Fitted telescopically with the second tube 8 is a third tube10 in which a flat ground glass screen 9 is mounted whereon the twosuperimposed images of relevant holes h at stations S and S1 arefocussed. The

screen is back viewed through a hood 11. Adjusting screws 12 and 13 formoving the pair of prisms 1 and 2 and 5 and 6 are adapted to be so setas to achieve complete superimposition of the images. The apparatus ismounted upon two parallel mounting bars 14 so that its position can beadjusted in the directionof said bars. Merely by way of example it maybe mentioned that in this particular 'case the stations S and S1 are set15" apart, i.e. at a distance equal to fifteen times the pitch p of theholes h. The straight strip or web W is supported to travel beneath theprisms 1 and 6 and the red and green lamps l and I shine upwards throughthe holes h on to the said two prisms.

Alternatively, longitudinally spaced checking holes, other than butcorrelated with the continuous series of holes being produced may beseparately formed in the strip or web for scanning at the two stations.In this case, the specially formed checking holes may be spaced apart tocorrespond with the longitudinal spacing of the scanning stations, viz,a distance equal to a multiple of the pitch of the continuous series ofholes, in which instance the two superimposed images of holes projectedon to the viewing surface would not be virtually continuous; incontra-distinction, these images would be discontinuous being flashed onto the surface at regular intervals only.

The primary idea and intention is that the condition, such as incorrecttensioning of the travelling strip or web W, which causes any inaccuracyin the spacing of the successively produced holes shall be corrected byreference 7 to the projected superimposed images,the correcting inthespacing of the holes is too close (see [7, FIGURE 2).

On the other hand, displacement of the images in the opposite directionwill produce the same spot or area of yellow light but this time boundedat the left-hand side by A a segment g of green light and at theright-hand side by a segment r of red light, as indicated at c in FIGURE2, thereby indicating that the holes are too far apart. In other words,by noting the relative positions of the red 7 and green (or othercontrastingly coloured) segments the eye can readily detect whether thedisplacement of the superimposed images is to the left or right andconsequently whether the pitch of the holes is plus or minus normal. Inthis regard, the width of the contrastingly V coloured crescents will beequal and indicate the amount of error in spacing.

The practical form of optical apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4includes six prisms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 arranged as shown inconjunction with an acromatic lens L which, in this particular example,may be a 6 /2" focal length lens of 1" in diameter. The two scanningprisms fluence being maintained until a lack of complete coincidence ofthe images is converted into congruence of the same. In this regard,checks can be taken from time to time by an occasional glance at thesurface upon which the superimposed images are projected. Or anyappropriate means, such as photo-electric. means arranged to detect alack of coincidence of the images may, through the medium of anelectrical or/ and electronic system, be adapted to eifect or initiatethe actuation of a visual or/ and aural signalling device designed toattract the attention of the attendant of the machine.

In any event, the extent to which any inaccuracy of spacing of the holesdisplaces the images out of congruence, small though this extent may be,represents or is proportional to the distance by which the total numberof spaces between the two scanning stations varies from the correctnormal.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use adjacent to a. travelling web suitable formonitoring on a continuous basis the pitch of holes formed in the web todetermine if the holes are uniformly spaced, said apparatus comprising,in combination, individual contrastingly coloured light sources locatedat two scanning station's spaced apart a distance equal to some knownmultiple of the desired pitch of such holes, and arranged to shinethrough and define the holes successively passing the said stations,said light sources being adapted to be simultaneously flashed on and offsynchronously with the movement of successive holes past a the saidsources, a first tube to extend above and along- 1 and 6 are mounted onthe outside and at opposite ends 7 of a tube 7 within which the fourprisms 2, 3, 4and 5 are accommodated and arranged as shown in FIGURE 3.The lens L is mounted, closely adjacent to 'the pair of prisms3, 4,within a second tube 8 disposed. at right side the travelling web, pairsof scanning prisms carried at the opposite ends of said tube andrespectively arranged to be at said scanning stations, the first prismof each said pair being so arranged as tobe above both the web and thecorresponding light source so as to receive the light rays which passthrough said holes and to reflect said rays in a direction substantiallynormal to the edge of said web, and the second prism of said pair beinghoused within the first tube and so oriented as to receive the lightrays reflected by said first prism and to reflect Said ys toward theopposite end of said tube, a second tube secured and disposed at rightangles to said first tube, a further pair of oppositely arranged prismslocated within said first tube at the juncture said second tube makeswith said first tube and arranged so as to receive the light raysreflected from said second prisms of the scanning pairs and to reflectsaid rays in a direction parallel to and within said second tube, a lensmounted in said second tube to collect the rays reflected by all of saidprisms and to project said rays in superimposed relation at a commonimage plane, thereby producing superimposed images of said holes, meansfor adjusting said scanning prisms so as to achieve completesuperimposition of the images at said image plane, a third tube, havinga flat ground glass screen mounted therein, fitted telescopically withsaid second tube whereby the position of said screen is adjustable andmay be made to correspond with said image plane, said third tube beingopen at both ends such that the superimposed images may be viewed fromthe rear, the accuracy of the desired pitch being indicated to theviewer by the degree of congruence of the superimposed images, and meansmounting the apparatus for simultaneous lateral adjustment of bothscanning prisms with respect to the travelling web.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for adjusting saidscanning prisms comprises adjusting screws located at the ends of saidfirst tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 881,127 3/1908 Jacob 882.61,070,699 8/1913 Kitsee. 2,016,036 10/ 1935 Fitzgerald. 2,473,625 6/1949Wheeler 352200 X 2,536,866 1/1951 Barcus 881.5 X

OTHER REFERENCES 0. E. Conklin, Two Microscopes for Measuring theDimensions of 35-mm. Cine Film, in the Journal of the Society of MotionPicture Engineers, vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 537-543, (pp. 542543 relied on).

20 JEWELL H. PEDERSEN, Primary Examiner.

F. SHOON, O. B. CHEW, Assistant Examiners.

1. APPARATUS FOR USE ADJACENT TO A TRAVELLING WEB SUITABLE FORMONITORING ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS THE PITCH OF HOLES FORMED IN THE WEB TODETERMINE IF THE HOLES ARE UNIFORMLY SPACED, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING,IN COMBINATION, INDIVIDUAL CONTRASTINGLY COLOURED LIGHT SOURCES LOCATEDAT TWO SCANNING STATIONS SPACED APART A DISTANCE EQUAL TO SOME KNOWNMULTIPLE OF THE DESIRED PITCH OF SUCH HOLES, AND ARRANGED TO SHINETHROUGH AND DEFINE THE HOLES SUCCESSIVELY PASSING THE SAID STATIONS,SAID LIGHT SOURCES BEING ADAPTED TO BE SIMULTANEOUSLY FLASHED ON AND OFFSYNCHRONOUSLY WITH THE MOVEMENT OF SUCCESSIVE HOLES PAST THE SAIDSOURCES, A FIRST TUBE TO EXTEND ABOVE AND ALONGSIDE THE TRAVELLING WEB,PAIRS OF SCANNING PRISMS CARRIED AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID TUBE ANDRESPECTIVELY ARRANGED TO BE AT SAID SCANNING STATIONS, THE FIRST PRISMOF EACH SAID PAIR BEING SO ARRANGED SO TO BE ABOVE BOTH THE WEB AND THECORRESPONDING LIGHT SOURCE SO AS TO RECEIVE THE LIGHT RAYS WHICH PASSTHROUGH SAID HOLES AND TO REFLECT SAID RAYS IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLYNORMAL TO THE EDGE OF SAID WEB, AND THE SECOND PRISM OF SAID PAIR BEINGHOUSED WITHIN THE FIRST TUBE AND SO ORIENTED AS TO RECEIVE THE LIGHTRAYS REFLECTED BY SAID FIRST PRISM AND TO REFLECT SAID RAYS TOWARD THEOPPOSITE END OF SAID TUBE, A SECOND TUBE SECURED AND DISPOSED AT RIGHTANGLES TO SAID FIRST TUBE, A FURTHER PAIR OF OPPOSITELY ARRANGED PRISMSLOCATED WITHIN SAID FIRST TUBE AND ARRANGED SO AS TO RECEIVE THE WITHSAID FIRST TUBE AND ARRANGED SO AS TO RECEIVE THE LIGHT RAYS REFLECTEDFROM SAID SECOND PRISMS OF THE SCANNING PAIRS AND TO REFLECT SAID RAYSIN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO AND WITHIN SAID SECOND TUBE, A LENS MOUNTEDIN SAID SECOND TUBE TO COLLECT THE RAYS REFLECTED BY ALL OF SAID PRISMSAND TO PROJECT SAID RAYS IN SUPERIMPOSED RELATION AT A COMMON IMAGEPLANE, THEREBY PRODUCING SUPERIMPOSED IMAGES OF SAID HOLES, MEANS FORADJUSTING SAID SCANNING PRISMS SO AS TO ACHIEVE COMPLETE SUPERIMPOSITIONOF THE IMAGES AT SAID IMAGE PLANE, A THIRD TUBE, HAVING A FLAT GROUNDGLASS SCREEN MOUNTED THEREIN, FITTED TELESCOPICALLY WITH SAID SECONDTUBE WHEREBY THE POSITION OF SAID SCREEN IS ADJUSTABLE AND MAY BE MADETO CORRESPOND WITH SAID IMAGE PLANE, SAID THIRD TUBE BEING OPEN AT BOTHENDS SUCH THAT THE SUPERIMPOSED IMAGES MAY BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR, THEACCURACY OF THE DESIRED PITCH BEING INDICATED TO THE VIEWER BY THEDEGREE OF CONGRUENCE OF THE SUPERIMPOSED IMAGES, AND MEANS MOUNTING THEAPPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUS LATERAL ADJUSTMENT OF BOTH SCANNING PRISMSWITH RESPECT TO THE TRAVELLING WEB.